Abstract | BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: A 67-year-old man with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and a medical history significant for coronary artery disease underwent routine lumbar surgical decompression. The objective of this study was to report a case of postoperative epidural hematoma associated with the use of emergent anticoagulation, including the dangers associated with spinal decompression and early postoperative anticoagulation. METHODS: Case report. FINDINGS: RESULTS: Motor and sensory function returned to normal by 14 days postoperatively, but bowel and bladder function continued to be impaired. Postoperative radiographs showed that coronal and sagittal spinal alignment did not change significantly after extensive laminectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Full anticoagulation should be avoided in the early postoperative period. In cases requiring early vigorous anticoagulation, patients should be closely monitored for changes in neurologic status. Combined cervical, thoracic, and lumbar laminectomy, without instrumentation or fusion, is an acceptable treatment option.
|
Authors | Kenneth Morse, Mark Weight, Robert Molinari |
Journal | The journal of spinal cord medicine
(J Spinal Cord Med)
Vol. 30
Issue 3
Pg. 282-7
( 2007)
ISSN: 1079-0268 [Print] England |
PMID | 17684896
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)
|
Chemical References |
|
Topics |
- Aged
- Anticoagulants
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Decompression, Surgical
(adverse effects)
- Hematoma, Epidural, Spinal
(diagnosis, etiology, surgery)
- Heparin
(administration & dosage, adverse effects)
- Humans
- Lumbar Vertebrae
- Male
- Myocardial Ischemia
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Spinal Stenosis
(surgery)
|